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Aurangabad caves are located outside the city of
Aurangabad
just few kilometres away from the famous monument
Bibi Ka Maqbara. These
caves were excavated between the 2nd and 6th century AD. These caves are
carved out of the hillside and are a fine piece of
architecture, housing the most stunningly
intricate carvings.
In total there are twelve caves, a major chunk of which are Viharas, of
which Caves 3 and 7, are the most fascinating. Caves 1 to 5 are in the
western group and caves 6 to 10 are about 1-km away in the eastern group.
One can see that Tantric influences discerned in their architecture and
iconography.
All
the caves are Viharas, except for cave 4, which is the oldest cave, a
Hinayana Chaitya with a ridged roof like the Karla Cave near
Lonavala and there
is a stupa in front of it, now partially collapsed. Cave 3 is supported by
12 finely carved columns, and sports sculptures portraying scenes from the
Jataka tales.
One can see in cave 6 the sculptures of women, which are
notable for their exotic hairstyles and ornamentation and one can notice
that these sculptures are still intact after so many decades. There is a
large Buddha figure and an idol of Ganesh located in this cave.
Cave 7 is the most interesting of the Aurangabad caves, particularly for
its sculptures - the figures of women scantily clad and ornately
bejewelled are indicative of the rise of Tantric Buddhism during this
period. To the left of Cave 7 is a huge Bodhisattva praying for
deliverance from the 8 dangers, fire, the sword of the enemy, chains,
shipwreck, lions, snakes, mad elephant and demon (representing death).
Air:
The nearest airport is
Aurangabad .
Rail: Aurangabad has a railway station.
Road: Aurangabad being a major city of Maharashtra is well
connected by road with all other places in the state. Tourists can get
down at Aurangabad and take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach these caves.
Accommodation is available at the various hotels at Aurangabad.